CAUGHT IN A QUICKSAND.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16987, 9 November 1920, Page 8

CAUGHT IN A QUICKSAND.

MAGISTRATE'S EXPERIENCE. (BFECIAI, TO "TITS PIVESS.'*) GISBORNE, November 8. j Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., had a somewhat exciting experience whilst travel- ( ling from Gisborne to Tolaga Bay with a horse and gig. Mr Barton was driving on the beach at half tide, and attempted to cross the Pouawa stream, about 12 miles north of Gisborne, choosing the spot at the junction of the stream and sea where he invariably crosses. Just as the horse entered the stream an unusually big sea ran in, flooding the beach to high water mark and making the stream very full. Mr Barton hurried his horse seawards to turn round and got on to high ground till the sea receded, and in doing so drove on to a patch of quicksand. The gig and horse both began to sink, but the driver had to stay in the gig till the sea receded sufficiently to reveal the bank of the stream. Mr Barton then jumped and, standing on the cushions, tried to release the horse to give him a chance, but the horse's ■weight was back on the breeching and the harness could not be loosened. Finally, the weight struggles of the horse broke the breeching and just then a second sea broke at the spot and seemod to help scour round [ tlie ■ horse, freeing its hin3 legs and frightening it to a final The gig was immovable, but the swingle bar broke and the horse got free and was ! led ashore by the driver. After the sea receded, Mr Barton went cautiously out to the gig. The wheels were sunk up to tho aisle whilst the shafts which had fallen forward, were half buried. Both wheels and shafts were held as in a vice. ATr Barton walked back two miles to a homestead and from there telephoned requisitioning a motor.car which conveyed him to Tolaga Bay. ======